What is dating really like after limb loss?
In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Neomi Flores to talk about relationships, confidence, and the realities of dating as an amputee.
Neomi shares her deeply personal journey after losing her leg in 2022—including the emotional recovery, navigating self-confidence, and the challenges of putting herself back out there in the dating world.
This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice. It’s honest, real, and something many people—inside and outside the limb loss community—can relate to.
In this episode, we cover:
• Dating through social media—and why it can be complicated
• When (and how) to disclose limb loss to potential partners
• Overcoming fear after toxic relationships
• Self-confidence, body image, and personal growth
• The emotional journey after amputation
• Why Neomi believes in “don’t just exist—live”
Neomi also shares her goal of becoming a motivational speaker and helping others through hospital visits, advocacy, and even launching a Spanish-language support group for the limb loss community.
💬 Whether you’re navigating relationships, rebuilding confidence, or supporting someone who is—this episode is for you.
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real conversations from the limb loss community.
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
What if surgery and virtual reality could dramatically reduce phantom limb pain? On this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Dr. Glenn Gaston, orthopedic hand and upper-extremity surgeon, to explore groundbreaking innovations in amputee care — including the Starfish Procedure and a virtual reality treatment for phantom limb pain. Dr. Gaston shares how a life-changing patient experience led him to build a dedicated amputee clinic and push beyond century-old methods of care He also shares his journey into amputee care, the inspiration behind his innovations, and why collaboration between surgeons, prosthetists, therapists, and mental health professionals is shaping the future of limb loss recovery.
Lera Doederlein joins Mike Bolland on We’re Not Stumped to share a powerful story of choosing possibility. Born with AMC (arthrogryposis multiplex congenita), Lera grew up in Phoenix using braces and forearm crutches while navigating school, friendships, and the quiet realization that sports might look different for her. As a teenager, she made the bold decision to pursue double above-knee amputations in order to gain independence and improve long-term mobility—and it transformed her life. Lera walks us through the realities of recovery and physical therapy, learning to use prosthetics, and the moment a clinician pushed her beyond her comfort zone—encouraging her to run just a week after she started walking. She also shares why community matters so much, from Camp No Limits to Hanger events and amputee boot camps that helped her build confidence and momentum.
In this inspiring episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike talks with John Cooper, a physical therapist assistant with 18 years of experience, about his journey into physical therapy and his passion for working with lower-limb amputees. John shares how his grandfather’s recovery from brain surgery sparked his career, and how close collaboration with prosthetists helps him address the real-world challenges amputees face every day. He explains why patience matters in rehab, why quality beats quantity in therapy sessions, and how setbacks can become powerful turning points.
